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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News


New tests to detect drug-resistant malaria

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:55 PM PDT

Researchers have developed two tests that can discern within three days whether the malaria parasites in a given patient will be resistant or susceptible to artemisinin, the key drug used to treat malaria.

Jurassic jaws: How ancient crocodiles flourished during the age of the dinosaurs

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:55 PM PDT

New research has revealed the hidden past of crocodiles, showing for the first time how these fierce reptiles evolved and survived in a dinosaur dominated world.

Bad news for prey: New research shows that predators can learn to read camouflage

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:54 PM PDT

Camouflaged creatures can perform remarkable disappearing acts but new research shows that predators can learn to read camouflage. The study, which used human subjects as predators searching for hidden moths in computer games, found that the subjects could learn to find some types of camouflaged prey faster than others.

Enhancing zoo elephant welfare

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:52 PM PDT

A new study revealed that analyzing the daily lives of zoo elephants – ranging from when and how they are fed to how they spend their time both at night and during the day – provides new, scientifically based information that zoos can use to improve the welfare of their elephants.

Innovative 'pay for performance' program improves patient outcomes

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 02:14 PM PDT

Paying doctors for how they perform specific medical procedures and examinations yields better health outcomes than the traditional "fee for service" model, where everyone gets paid a set amount regardless of quality or patient outcomes, according to new research.

Comet discovered hiding in plain sight: Near-Earth asteroid is really a comet

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 02:14 PM PDT

For 30 years, a large near-Earth asteroid wandered its lone, intrepid path, passing before the scrutinizing eyes of scientists while keeping something to itself: (3552) Don Quixote, whose journey stretches to the orbit of Jupiter, now appears to be a comet.

Organic molecules found in Sutter's Mill meteorite, not previously found in any meteorites

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 02:14 PM PDT

An important discovery has been made concerning the possible inventory of molecules available to the early Earth. Scientists found that the Sutter's Mill meteorite, which exploded in a blazing fireball over California last year, contains organic molecules not previously found in any meteorites. These findings suggest a far greater availability of extraterrestrial organic molecules than previously thought possible, an inventory that could indeed have been important in molecular evolution and life itself.

Pay for performance encouraged physicians to follow blood pressure guidelines

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:54 PM PDT

In a multi-year study involving researchers found that modest monetary incentives to individual physicians resulted in a significant 8.36 percent increase in patients whose blood pressure was brought down to desired levels or who received an appropriate medical response when it was found that their blood pressure was uncontrolled.

With horses and iPads, autistic children learn to communicate

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:53 PM PDT

Researches are helping autistic children communicate by combining equine therapy and assistive technology through a program called Strides©.

Edible coatings for ready-to-eat fresh fruits and vegetables

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:50 PM PDT

The scientist who turned fresh-cut apple slices into a popular convenience food, available ready-to-eat in grocery stores, school cafeterias and fast-food restaurants, today described advances in keeping other foods fresh, flavorful, and safe for longer periods of time through the use of invisible, colorless, odorless, tasteless coatings.

Why are some corals flourishing in a time of global warming?

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:50 PM PDT

As Earth's temperature climbs, stony corals are in decline. Less discussed, however, is the plight of gorgonian corals — softer, flexible, tree-like species. Divers have noted that gorgonians seem to be proliferating in parts of the Caribbean, and a new study will look to quantify this phenomenon.

What do liberals and conservatives look for in a date?

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:23 AM PDT

Liberals and conservatives are looking for the same thing when they join online dating websites, according to new research. The study shows that both liberals and conservatives are looking for a partner who is like themselves.

Scientists create new memories by directly changing the brain

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:23 AM PDT

By studying how memories are made, neurobiologists created new, specific memories by direct manipulation of the brain, which could prove key to understanding and potentially resolving learning and memory disorders.

How the newest diesel engines emit very little greenhouse gas nitrous oxide

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:23 AM PDT

The newest catalytic converters in diesel engines blast away a pollutant from combustion with the help of ammonia. Common in European cars, the engines exhaust harmless nitrogen and water. How they do this hasn't been entirely clear. Now, new research shows that the catalyst attacks its target pollutant in an unusual way, providing insight into how to make the best catalytic converters.

Five-fold increase in ADHD medication use in children and adolescents

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:15 AM PDT

Use of stimulant medications to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents has increased significantly over the past several years. This trend toward increased use of prescription stimulants extends beyond ADHD to other types of neuropsychiatric disorders in children and teens as well, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), according to a new study

Possibility of selectively erasing unwanted memories

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:09 AM PDT

For the first time, scientists have been able to erase dangerous drug-associated memories in mice and rats without affecting other more benign memories. The surprising discovery points to a clear and workable method to disrupt unwanted memories while leaving the rest intact.

Panda poop microbes could make biofuels of the future

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:09 AM PDT

Unlikely as it may sound, giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le in the Memphis Zoo are making contributions toward shifting production of biofuels away from corn and other food crops and toward corn cobs, stalks and other non-food plant material.

Statins being overprescribed for kidney disease patients

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 09:15 AM PDT

A new analysis concludes that large numbers of patients in advanced stages of kidney disease are inappropriately being prescribed statins to lower their cholesterol -- drugs that offer them no benefit and may increase other health risks such as diabetes, dementia or muscle pain.

Think twice, speak once: Bilinguals process both languages simultaneously

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 09:15 AM PDT

Bilingual speakers can switch languages seamlessly, likely developing a higher level of mental flexibility than monolinguals, according linguistic researchers.

Irregular periods in young women can be cause for concern

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 09:14 AM PDT

While irregular periods are common among teenage girls, an underlying hormonal disorder may be to blame if this problem persists. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder that is characterized by an excess of androgens or male hormones in the body. The imbalance of hormones interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries, which can prevent ovulation and menstruation.

Older adults gauge their partner's feelings through knowing, not seeing

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 08:30 AM PDT

Compared to younger adults, older people are less adept at reading emotion in their spouse's face. But when their spouse isn't present, older and younger adults are equally able to discern their significant others' moods, according to new research.

How do consumers compare prices? It depends on how powerful they feel

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 08:28 AM PDT

Your reaction to the price on a bottle of wine or another product is partly a response to how powerful you feel, according to a new study.

Four common genetic variants associated with blood pressure in African-Americans

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 08:28 AM PDT

A landmark study has discovered four novel gene variations associated with blood pressure in African Americans. Compared to Americans of European-ancestry, African-Americans' increased hypertension prevalence contributes to a greater risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and end-stage renal disease.

State e-waste disposal bans have been largely ineffective

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 08:28 AM PDT

One of the first analyses of laws banning disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) in landfills has found that state e-waste recycling bans have been mostly ineffective, although California's Cell Phone Recycling Act had a positive impact. However, e-waste recycling rates remain "dismally low," and many demographic groups remain unaware of their alternatives, according to a new study.

Bilingual education has spillover effect

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:50 AM PDT

Bilingual education programs have a substantial spillover effect on the students they're not designed for. Elementary students who speak English as their home language and were enrolled in schools with bilingual education programs performed much better on state math and reading tests than native English-speaking students at schools without bilingual education programs.

Micro-gels from tiny ice algae play an important role in polar ocean carbon budgets

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT

Secretion of polysaccharides from the micro community living within the sea ice stick organism together and forms greater particles introducing a rapid transport of carbon to the seafloor. New research now makes it possible to forecast the importance for the global carbon budget of this transport.

Life deep down: A new beautiful translucent snail from the deepest cave in Croatia

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT

An expedition in the deepest cave system in Croatia, Lukina Jama–Trojama, discovered a beautiful new species of a tiny translucent snail. The newly discovered species belongs to the evolutionary intriguing genus Zospeum, where representatives are exclusively known from the underground. The animal was found at the remarkable depth of 980 m.

New magnetic semiconductor material holds promise for 'spintronics'

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT

Researchers have created a new compound that can be integrated into silicon chips and is a dilute magnetic semiconductor -- meaning that it could be used to make "spintronic" devices, which rely on magnetic force to operate, rather than electrical currents.

Wishes benefit seriously ill children and their parents

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT

New research has shown that schemes that grant children with a life threatening illness a special wish have a positive impact on their and their family's wellbeing.

Extreme life forms: Life found in the sediments of an Antarctic subglacial lake for the first time

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT

Evidence of diverse life forms dating back nearly a hundred thousand years has been found in subglacial lake sediments by scientists. The possibility that extreme life forms might exist in the cold and dark lakes hidden kilometers beneath the Antarctic ice sheet has fascinated scientists for decades.

Why are consumers more likely to participate in online gaming than gambling?

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:48 AM PDT

Consumers are more likely to participate in online betting if it's called "gaming" rather than "gambling," according to a new study.

The price of envy: How do consumers react to flattering salespeople?

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:48 AM PDT

Consumers have negative reactions to flattery by salespeople, even if they think the compliments are sincere, according to a new study. But disliking a salesperson doesn't mean a customer won't buy from the store.

Anti-counterfeiting ink for enhancing product authenticity and traceability

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:45 AM PDT

In a bid to enhance product authenticity and traceability, researchers have developed an innovative anti-erasing ink for use in various kinds of fast-moving consumer goods such as food, drink and drug packaging.

Dingo wrongly blamed for extinctions

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT

Dingoes have been unjustly blamed for the extinctions on the Australian mainland of the Tasmanian tiger (or thylacine) and the Tasmanian devil, a study has found.

Oil industry and household stoves speed Arctic thaw

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT

Gas flaring by the oil industry and smoke from residential burning contributes more black carbon pollution to Arctic than previously thought -- potentially speeding the melting of Arctic sea ice and contributing to the fast rate of warming in the region.

Screening for minor memory changes will wrongly label many with dementia, warn experts

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT

A political drive, led by the UK and US, to screen older people for minor memory changes (often called mild cognitive impairment or pre-dementia) is leading to unnecessary investigation and potentially harmful treatment for what is arguably an inevitable consequence of aging, warn experts.

Strain of MERS coronavirus engineered for use in a vaccine

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a strain of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus that could be used as a vaccine against the disease.

Positive emotion increases life satisfaction and creates a happy state

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:52 AM PDT

By combining the experience of self-reported positive and negative emotions among 1,400 US-residents, researchers created four affective profiles which they then used to discern differences in happiness, depression, life satisfaction and happiness-increasing strategies. The differences between these profiles suggested that promoting positive emotions can positively influence a depressive-to-happy state, as well as increasing life satisfaction.

New evidence that orangutans and gorillas can match images based on biological categories

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:52 AM PDT

The ability to form a general concept that connects what we know about the members of a category allows humans to respond appropriately when they encounter a novel member of that category. At an early age, children form categories to, for example, differentiate animals from inanimate objects and to differentiate dogs from cats. New research shows that other apes may form similar categories to represent different types of animals.

Archaeologists have excavated well-preserved Roman soldier's chain mail

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT

Archaeologists made a spectacular discovery in their excavations of a Roman-Germanic battlefield at the Harzhorn in Lower Saxony. While exploring the area near Kalefeld in the Northeim district north of Göttingen, the researchers found the chain mail of a Roman soldier from the Third Century AD. It was the first time that such a well-preserved piece of body armor was excavated on a Roman-Germanic battlefield. This piece of equipment, worn on the body, made it possible to reconstruct an individual story in the battle.

Maya decapitated and dismembered their enemies

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a mass grave in an artificial cave in the historical Maya city of Uxul (Mexico). Marks on the bones indicate that the individuals buried in the cave were decapitated and dismembered around 1,400 years ago. The scientists assume that the victims were either prisoners of war or nobles from Uxul itself.

Motorized microscopic matchsticks move in water with sense of direction

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT

Chemists, physicists and computer scientists have come together to devise a new powerful and very versatile way of controlling the speed and direction of motion of microscopic structures in water using what they have dubbed chemically 'motorized microscopic matchsticks'.

Spectrometer will help astrobiologists hunt for traces of Martian life

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT

An instrument similar to those used on Earth by art detectives and to sense explosives at airports will be taken into space for the first time by ExoMars, the European Space Agency's mission to Mars in 2018. This Raman spectrometer will help space scientists hunt for traces of Martian life.

Cyborg astrobiologist uses phone-cam to search for signs of life

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT

A novel, hybrid part-human, part-machine visual system that uses a simple mobile phone camera has been developed to search for evidence of past or present life in planetary analogue sites on Earth.

Phaethon confirmed as rock comet by STEREO vision

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT

The Sun-grazing asteroid, Phaethon, has betrayed its true nature by showing a comet-like tail of dust particles blown backwards by radiation pressure from the Sun. Unlike a comet, however, Phaethon's tail doesn't arise through the vaporization of an icy nucleus. During its closest approach to the Sun, researchers believe that Phaethon becomes so hot that rocks on the surface crack and crumble to dust under the extreme heat.

Water hidden in the Moon may have proto-Earth origin

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT

Water found in ancient Moon rocks might have actually originated from the proto-Earth and even survived the Moon-forming event. Scientists have studied the amount of water within lunar rocks returned during the Apollo missions.

Scientists aim to develop intelligent and wearable body 'exoskeleton'

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT

Scientists are designing a human-guided exoskeleton to improve work safety and enhance productivity in the industrial environment.

Doctor turns to singing and social media to change medical practice

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT

A doctor from the UK has shown how an innovative music video can help increase awareness of how to treat asthma.

Kids get more exercise in smart growth neighborhoods

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:34 AM PDT

Children who live in smart growth neighborhoods, designed to improve walkability, get 46 percent more moderate or vigorous physical activity than those who live in conventional neighborhoods, finds a new study.

Researchers find what’s missing in teen health programs

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:34 AM PDT

Adding a mental health component to school-based lifestyle programs for teens could be key to lowering obesity, improving grades, alleviating severe depression and reducing substance use, a new study suggests.

Device gives scientists front-row seat to lightning strikes

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:33 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a valuable tool to help determine how lightning is spawned, to map strikes and to better predict severe weather.

The real reason to worry about bees

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:33 AM PDT

Honey bees should be on everyone's worry list, and not because of the risk of a nasty sting, an expert on the health of those beneficial insects. Despite years of intensive research, scientists do not understand the cause, nor can they provide remedies, for what is killing honey bees.

Changing part of central line could reduce hospital infections

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:33 AM PDT

Simply replacing the connector in the IV system in patients with central lines could help reduce deadly bloodstream infections, researchers have found.

Commercial baby foods don't meet infants' weaning needs

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 05:13 PM PDT

UK commercial baby foods don't meet infants' dietary weaning needs, because they are predominantly sweet foods that provide little extra nutritional goodness over breast milk, indicates new research.

Changing breakfast habits may not affect weight

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 05:10 PM PDT

New research shows while there's an association between breakfast habits and obesity, some practices by scientists have led the evidence for a causal claim to be exaggerated.

Antisocial texting by teens linked to bad behavior

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 02:22 PM PDT

New research examines antisocial texting habits in teenagers as a predictor for later deviant behavior by tracking teenagers' texts throughout the ninth grade. Self-reports and parent/teacher assessments revealed that students who texted about antisocial behaviors, such as fighting or drug use, were more likely to engage in the activities by the end of the year.

Autoimmune disease strategy emerges from immune cell discovery

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 02:22 PM PDT

Scientists have identified a new way to manipulate the immune system that may keep it from attacking the body's own molecules in autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

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